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Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art From Egypt To Star Wars (2012)

by Camille Paglia(Favorite Author)

3.88 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0375424601 (ISBN13: 9780375424601)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Pantheon

review 1: This is one of those books that I would never have picked up were it not a book club selection and an example of the primary reason I joined a club in the first place: to read things that I would not choose on my own. Glittering Images is a brief history of Western art beginning in Ancient "Egypt to Star Wars." That intriguing phrase was what got me interested in reading this book. Art of "Egypt to Star Wars?I enjoyed being introduced to some new artists that I have never heard of, apart from some new ideas about the current state of art education (and lack thereof).What I learned is that I know absolutely nothing about modern art and I found the sections after Andy Warhol, the period where my art knowledge ends, very hard going as I had to look up every other term and ... morereference to try to understand the point author was trying to make.However, the book club discussion was very interesting, primarily because we had our own "art historian," who is very knowledgeable about modern art, and could put some of the ideas into perspective for us. My recommendation is that this book be read and shared with someone who is conversant about art over the last 50 years.
review 2: From just the introduction alone (which readers should not skip over), it is instantly recognizable that this book is written by someone who both cares passionately about her subject and is also profoundly knowledgeable in regards to it. Ms. Paglia comes with an array of skills that made me yearn for a full fictional novel from her - she has an excellent command of the English language and she is able to confer passion from herself onto her readers. It made me want to go out instantly and read more about Art History. I found myself so enamored of her writing that it would help promote my opinion of the art works she chose to highlight in her chapters. I would initially feel just a vaguely positive reaction towards a piece, but then, after her description, would flip back to look at the painting or piece and find an intensely more passionate response. Her poetic summaries gently guide you through what there is to love and admire about a piece. All of this is undeniably a good thing. The part where the book wavers (in my opinion) is in regards to less conventional forms of art. Ms. Paglia lovingly describes each movement and each piece she addresses. This can sometimes come off as bombastic and pretentious. For some readers not already steeped in art culture, it can be an especially tedious slog through the last few chapters of the book. (Also, despite whatever the back cover claims, this book is subtle like a sledgehammer. It has many fine traits but subtlety is not one of them). All told then, it's a great read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in art or history. It does come in a bit of a "sample platter" style so don't expect to come away with too much in the way of in-depth analysis, but it is definitely a good starting point for anyone looking to learn. less

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